Scientific African (Mar 2023)
Repellent and insecticidal activities of vegetal material against sand fly populations (Diptera: Psychodidae): Systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease that is widely distributed among humans and animals, transmitted by a bite of an infected female phlebotomine sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae). Vectors have become increasingly resistant to synthetic insecticides. Furthermore, chemical control strategies have a negative impact on human health and the ecosystem. As a result, ecological alternative strategies are important for the management of disease-spreading vectors. Numerous databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, CAIRN, and Cochrane Library) were searched for information on the botanical effects on sand flies. Up until June 2021, 19 papers were analyzed. A total of 58 plants were investigated, with 303 experiments conducted to examine insecticidal activity and 115 others conducted to investigate the insect repellent properties of medicinal plants against 11 species of sand flies belonging to the genera Lutzomyia and Phlebotomus. The results revealed a wide range of variability (I-square over than 75%). Briefly, plant insecticide efficacy was observed in Monticalia greenmaniana (Asteraceae) and Nicotiana tabacum (Solanaceae). However, Meliaceae, particularly neem oil, exhibited the most activity as a sand fly repellent. Concerning sand fly species, Lutzomyia migonei had the most sensitivity to natural insecticides, whereas Phlebotomus argentipes, P. orientalis, and P. bergeroti were more susceptible to botanical repellents. The studies using aerial plants were the most likely to result in mortality. Despite this, during repellency testing, leaves were shown to be the most effective. Even though several studies are being performed to assess the efficacy of botanical products against sand flies, research in North Africa is becoming increasingly important.
